Arco Chemical Technology, L.p.

Atlantic Richfield Company

Arco Chemical Company

Fred M Sonnenberg

Dennis M Hajnik

Joseph A Verdol

William J Poole

A method for improving the expandability of styrenic polymer particles is disclosed. The method comprises copolymerizing a styrenic monomer with an amount of an acrylate monomer effective to improve the expandability of the particles without adversely affecting their heat sensitivity. Polymer foams of low density can be prepared with reduced amounts of blowing agents.

Method for improving the expandability of styrenic polymer particles

The use of tertiary ethers as blowing agent allows the preparation of lower density foams from many types of polymeric materials.

Tertiary ethers as blowing agents for foam polymer systems

Fire-retardant expandable vinyl aromatic polymer beads are prepared by an aqueous suspension method whereby a bromophenyl allyl ether fire-retardant agent and a volatile aliphatic hydrocarbon foaming agents are incorporated into particles of a thermoplastic such as polystyrene. The beads are useful in the preparation of molded foam articles having excellent resistance to flame.

Process for the preparation of fire-retardant expandable thermoplastic

A method of introducing flame retardants into expandable vinyl aromatic polymer beads made in a one-step process is disclosed. Flame retardants with good solubility in blowing agents are introduced after monomer conversion is substantially complete, resulting in vinyl aromatic polymer beads with low residual monomer content.

Method of adding flame retardant to vinyl aromatic polymers made in a

Fire-retardant expandable vinyl aromatic polymer beads are prepared by an aqueous suspension method whereby micronized hexabromocyclododecane and a volatile aliphatic hydrocarbon foaming agent are incorporated into particles of a thermoplastic such as polystyrene. The beads are useful in the preparation of molded foam articles having excellent resistance to flame.

Process for the preparation of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer

Various rubber polymers and copolymers have been added as a coating to seed beads of vinyl aromatic polymers. Cups molded from these beads were coffee leak tested and generally exhibited enhanced retention of coffee.

Use of rubbery copolymers to decrease coffee leakage in foam cups

Various flame retardant agents have been added as a coating to seed beads of vinyl aromatic polymers. The resulting products have high resistance to burning and permit the use of lower concentrations of the retardant.

Coating of flame retardants onto a seed bead

Enhanced coffee retention properties are achieved in thermoplastic polymer foam cups molded from thermoplastic polymer particles by coating at least a portion of the surfaces of the particles before molding with a fluorosurfactant.

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Merion, PA, United States of America

Fred M Sonnenberg